Government considers European protection of product names

Government considers European protection of product names6>

26/01/2017

On Jan. 25 Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers accepted a draft law on creation of a European system for protection of product names by the region of manufacture.

Goods produced according to traditional recipes in certain regions tend to have higher reputation and value. For example, in EU these products include “champagne” and “cognac”. First one is wine produced from grapes in Champagne French region. The second – brandy from grapes made in in French Municipality Cognac. These names are protected by EU law. Thus, other manufacturers have no right to produce alcoholic drinks under the name “champagne” or “cognac”.

Due to Government approval of this draft law Ukrainian small and medium manufacturers of such products as Morshinskaya water and Nizhyn cucumbers, will receive better protection of their brands. Moreover, recognition of EU standards should facilitate access of Ukrainian small and medium producers to EU markets.

To enter the list of geographical indications, a manufacturer should undergo certain procedures for assessing product quality. Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy in Lviv Olga Trofimtseva said that at least seven regional products have got high potential for obtaining such status. For example, Carpathian honey, beans, brynza cheese or blueberries.

If the Verkhovna Rada accepts the corresponding law, Ukrainian manufacturers won’t be able to produce such cheese as “feta” or “Camembert” and “Calvados” or “Czech beer” drinks.

Full list of protected geographical indications is set in Annex XXII to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.